Video

Chief Justice on Need for Language Access (5:46)Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye gave opening remarks at a Feb 24 public hearing in San Francisco to hear input on how to expand meaningful access for limited-English-proficient court users.

LAP Joint Working Group

The Joint Working Group for California’s Language Access Plan developed a comprehensive, statewide, language access plan (LAP) for the judiciary to be able to expand meaningful access for limited-English-proficient court users.

In 2014, the Joint Working Group hosted public hearings throughout the state. The public's input and involvement continue to be solicited throughout the plan development process. Formal notices of events will be posted here when they become available.

The Joint Working Group for California's Language Access Plan will develop a comprehensive, statewide, language access plan (LAP) for the judiciary to be able to expand meaningful access for limited-English-proficient court users. The plan will provide a consistent approach for language access throughout the judiciary.

When the LAP is adopted by the council, which is anticipated to occur in January 2015, an implementation plan will be developed that will identify the costs required to phase in the LAP recommendations over the next five years (2015-2020). It is anticipated that efficiencies identified in the plan can provide significant long-term savings for the courts.

February 2, 2015: Executive Summary for the Language Access Plan (coming soon in Spanish and other languages).

September 30, 2014: The formal public comment period on the draft Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Courts is now closed. The Joint Working Group for California’s Language Access Plan accepted formal public comment on the draft plan through September 29, 2014. An executive summary of the draft plan is available in English and Spanish. Following the public comment process, the draft plan will be revised and a final plan will be presented to the Judicial Council for its review and adoption.

August 14, 2014: Joint Working Group submits informational report to the Judicial Council regarding the draft Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Courts. Presentation (8/22). Audiocast (8/22)